If
you wish to return to the 'Ask Dr. Dunc.' mainpage, please click
here
If
you wish to visit the 'Ask Dr. Dunc.' question archives, please
click here
Question
99: Just wanted to ask for a little assistance with a young
fellow...we're looking for some advice to help him transition into
a new school. We want to be as helpful as we can and give them some
suggestions... I thought of you and if you might have some good ideas.
[He] has a real problem with transitions and new things so the move
will have some impact on his behavior but we want to be as pro-active
as possible. Anything you can send or direct me toward would be good.
Cheers, C.M., NS, Canada.
Hey C.M.:
A few thoughts rattling around in my brain (can't get too specific without
knowing the case):
-bring him into the school at least once, maybe the week or weekend
before he starts, to show him around (i.e. take him to the classroom,
playground, etc.). If it's possible to meet his teacher(s) beforehand
that would be great as well.
-I assume that his daily schedule (i.e. which subjects are taught when)
will be different from his old school. This should be gone over with
him (give him a paper copy) so he is prepared for change and his day
is predictable.
-The school might want to start off with 1/2 days initally; all of the
changes will be overwhelming and he will run out of tolerance before
others would. Short, brief successes are always preferable to long drawn-out
failures that would negatively tinge his new experiences.
-I would arrange for an immediate in-service to be performed for both
the kids and staff; it is a rare opportunity to have such a blank slate
to work from, and so I would take full opportunity of it before 'behaviour'
labels and misperceptions have a chance to start.
-arrange with the school for him to bring something familiar from his
old classroom, or from his old school, or from his home with him initially
to make the transition 'softer'; this can be phased out gradually.
Gotta run -- hope these ideas are of some assistance!
cheers,
